Media: Armenia's ruling party debates key parliamentary appointments

Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party has begun distributing key positions ahead of the formation of the country's next parliament.

As Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media, Arusyak Manavazyan, the party's chief of staff, is among the leading contenders for the position of head of the parliamentary faction. The report describes Manavazyan as overseeing the party's financial affairs and being regarded as one of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's closest and most trusted associates.

At the same time, political sources cited by the publication claim that Pashinyan would prefer to appoint former ambassador Lilit Makunts to lead the parliamentary faction.

Makunts had initially been viewed as a potential candidate for the post of Speaker of Parliament, but the report said the position is now expected to go to Ruben Rubinyan. According to the newspaper, members of the ruling party believe the decision in Rubinyan's favor is based primarily on external considerations, particularly his role as Armenia's special representative in negotiations with Türkiye.

The report also said discussions are underway within Civil Contract over the possible replacement of Andranik Kocharyan as chairman of the parliamentary Defence Committee. His current deputy, Armen Khachatryan, is reportedly being considered to succeed him.

By Vafa Guliyeva